I Just Want To Eat! 6/23/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/23/25

My trip to Porto: Mercado do Bolhão

Another recommendation from our tuk tuk tour guide was the Mercado do Bolhao in the city center. This is an impressive open market, with its two floors, the first one full of tourists avid to eat seafood (especially oysters and shrimp), charcuterie, cheese, bread, pasta, you name it, and the second floor being a bit more quieter, with restaurants serving Portuguese specialties (one of them was vegetarian) and that seem to cater also to tourists. We just stopped by for sweets, having a meringue that was well made (Jodi loves those) and trying a queijada de leite (2 Eur) or milk tart, so we could see if we preferred it over the pasteis de Nata (Portuguese egg tarts). I am not sure we got a good milk tart as it was not sweet as I read it is supposed to be and you certainly do not get the wow factor when you get your first bite. To the contrary. It is not that it was not good: it lacked the sweetness I was looking for. The pasteis de Nata remains my favorite for sure…

Meringue at Mercado do Bolhão in Porto, Portugal

Queijada de leite at Mercado do Bolhão in Porto, Portugal

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Mercado do Bolhão - R. Formosa 322, 4000-248 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/22/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/22/25

My Trip to Porto: Time Out Market

As we were on our way to see the striking Sao Bento railway station (impressive blue tile work describing the history of Portugal), we stumbled upon the Time Out Market that is a little over a year old. I admit that I had no idea there was one there and so we had to check it out. Opened daily from 10am to 12pm, it overlooks the train station. Inviting, with lots of light thanks to its floor to ceiling windows, there is also a large outside area where diners can enjoy the good weather. Most of the restaurants were serving Portuguese cuisine, a heaven for seafood lovers, with few options for vegetarians and, for less adventurous visitors, pizza and burgers (these burgers look good!).
There, i went to Casa Ines and tried their sardines escabeche (sardinhas de escabeche - 8.50 Eur) that is a dish you can find in many Mediterranean countries and seemed to have originated from the Moorish occupation in Spain. I love it, this dish reminding me my mom’s cooking as she used to make that, and I enjoyed dipping the bread they gave in the sauce.
I also had to try their cod fritters (bolinhos de bacalhau - 7.50 Eur), a Portuguese specialty, served with black eyed peas, that I found very good, not salty, the outside was soft and the filling moist, with no need for any sauce to eat them. A must have.

Bolinhos de bacalhau at Time Out Market in Porto, Portugal

Sardinhas de escabeche at Time Out Market in Porto, Portugal

I really liked the Porto Time Out Market: although full of tourists, there is a good vibe and tons of delicious food that makes me wish I was there longer and had the opportunity to try more dishes there. Maybe another time!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Time Out Market - Ala Sul da Estação Ferroviária de São Bento, Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/21/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/21/25

My Trip to Porto: Pastéis de Nata at Manteigaria

I finally tried a real Pastéis de Nata during my visit in Porto. I have tried this Portuguese egg tart in the past in Chinese restaurants, at Paris Baguette and even Trader’s Joe who proposed for a limited time frozen ones that were pretty good, but never what I would qualify as “real” ones. I mean, the closest were probably in Chinese restaurants as this delicacy was introduced in Asia, especially Macao as it was a Portuguese colony. Still, the one at Manteigaria, a store that is all around Porto where they make them fresh, was the best: freshly made ( you can see them baking in the back of the store), crunchy, flakey, buttery and eggy, not too sweet with a touch of cinnamon on top. I was in heaven. It seems that if you want to try this delicious egg tart, Manteigaria is the place to go.

Pastéis de Nata at Manteigaria in Porto, Portugal

One thing I should mention is the origin of these eggy tarts: they originated in the early 1800s in a monastery in Belem. Monks were using egg white as starch for cloths and had leftover yolks that they decided to use to make an egg custard filling for small tarts that they sold to generate some income. And I am glad they did…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Manteigaria - Rua dos Clérigos nº37, 4050-205 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/20/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/20/25

My trip to Porto: Majestic Cafe

During a tour of the city in Tuk Tuk, our guide mentioned the Majestic Cafe, saying that the interior is worth a visit there. So, we decided to check it out. Originally opened in the 1920s, this cafe that went through ups and downs, is a popular spot for tourists who want to admire the beautiful art nouveau decor, with its curved wooden frames, large mirrors and stunning decorative details, or want to see one of the locations where…

When we went, the place was full and we were lucky to get a table within five minutes. I ordered a hot chocolate with whipped cream (9.50 Eur), preferring it over the pricey double espresso (9 Eur), while Jodi ordered a peach ice tea. The hot chocolate was just ok, better than some but not really memorable if it was not for the place. What was really good and is definitely a must have is their French toast or Rabanada Majestic (9 Eur). The golden brown bread was perfectly soaked, slightly crispy on the outside, sitting on a sweet egg cream sauce and topped with raisins, pignoli and walnut. The French toast stood on its own and reminded me a bit the way my mom made it (in France, it is called “pain perdu”).

French toast or rabanada at Majestic Cafe in Porto, Portugal

Hot chocolate at Majestic Cafe in Porto, Portugal

Know that Majestic Cafe also serves afternoon tea and various savory dishes, although I would just go for that French toast…Even if it is a bit touristy, it is worth a visit whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not!.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Majestic Cafe -

I Just Want To Eat! 6/19/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/19/25

My trip to Porto - Restaurant Raiz

Looking for a random place to eat in downtown Porto, we ended up at Raiz, a place that seem small, but little did we know they had additional dining rooms on the three upstairs floors. We decided to try it for two reasons: availability of vegetarian options that were sometimes very limited, and the fact that it offers lots of small dishes so we could try a bunch. Here is what we had:
To start, I wanted to try a white port wine and so I got a glass of Niepoort dry (6 Eur). They poured a generous glass of that still slightly sweet wine that was bright and refreshing.

Niepoort dry-white port wine at Raiz in Porto, Portugal

I then got the traditional octopus fritters (Nuvens de polvo - 7.5 Eur) that were delicious, although I was expecting bits of octopus in it for more texture. Still, a must have.

Next was the « Bulhao pato » style clams (16 Eur): stewed clams in a delicious white wine sauce that reminded me a bit of vongole.

It was followed by mushroom tempura (Cogumelos em tempura - 10 Eur). This succulent dish has a bit of history as tempura originated in Portugal and was introduced to Japan later on.

Mushroom tempura at Raiz in Porto, Portugal

Then, we could not resist trying their breaded Brie (queijo Brie panado - 9 Eur). Served with a tomato chutney, it is a must have if you love cheese, even if Brie is not Portuguese.

Last was their potato mille-feuille with aioli (Mil folhas de batata - 5.5 Eur) that was deliciously crispy.

Potato mille-feuille at Raiz in Porto, Portugal

We hesitated to have dessert but were a bit tired from an all day walking in the streets of Porto (these hills!) and asked for the check that they brought in a book. It was definitely a lot of fried food, but nothing was greasy and I loved the fact that we could share all these dishes. Raiz was definitely a good find.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Raiz - Largo dos Lóios 8, 4050-338 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/17/25

My trip to Porto: The Francesinha, a popular sandwich inspired by the Croque Monsieur

Vaccarum Francesinhas and Tapas in Porto, Portugal

There are several dishes that are must have in Portugal and the Francesinha is surely one of them. What I did not know is that this decadent sandwich that originated in Porto at the beginning of the 1950s is inspired from the French Croque Monsieur. The story says that Daniel David de Silva, upon returning from France and Belgium tried to adapt the French sandwich to Portuguese palate. The result is a heart attack on a plate: two pieces of bread lightly toasted, steak, ham and sausage, smothered by a tomato and beer sauce that can be spicy, cheese (lot of it inside and on top) and, as an option, a fried egg; all of this served with French fries that you can dip in the sauce. I tried it at Vaccarum Francesinhas and Tapas, downtown Porto. Definitely, the first bite is a mouthful: you first get the taste of the sauce and the cheese, and then the layers of meat, the steak having the most recognizable texture. Now, maybe people in Porto would tell me that the one at Vaccarum Francesinha and Tapas is not the best, knowing that it seems every restaurant has its own version, But I found it comforting and quite good. However, it is not something I would eat on a hot day for sure…or maybe I would…Anyway, if you are in Portugal, you cannot not try this dish! And just so you know, Francesinha means :Little French Girl” in Portuguese.

Francesinha at Vaccarum Francesinhas and Tapas in Porto, Portugal

Fries at Vaccarum FRancesinhas and tapas in Porto, Portugal

Enjoy (I did)!

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Vaccarum Francesinha and Tapas - R. de Sá da Bandeira 131, 4000-381 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/25

My trip to Porto: Elemento, when fine dining meets fire dining

Porto has quite a few Michelin Star restaurants and Elemento is surely one to visit. Located few steps from the Cathedral, the front of the restaurant does not give much hints about what is going on there, except the mention of “Fire Dining” under its name, that I am sure people read quickly as “Fine Dining”. No, it is the word “fire” that is written, and entering the restaurant, your nose cannot miss the smell of burning wood. The explanation is simple: everything is cooked with wood fire and if, like us, you can sit at the counter, you can get a good glimpse of how the magic happens in the kitchen. We went there for our last meal before coming back home, on a Thursday, and the restaurant was quite empty, giving the chance to the kitchen staff to take their time to prepare delicious dishes inspired by Portuguese cuisine, with a modern and, of course, smokey twist.

They offer a menu a la carte and an 8-course tasting menu (95 Eur). I mentioned in the reservation that Jodi is vegetarian and so, they gave me a call earlier that day to get some more information so they could prepare a nice meal for her (vegetarian options are only accommodated in the tasting menu). The result was fantastic, each of her dishes being beautifully plated, colorful and flavorful, showcasing the creativity and skills of the Chef as, sometimes, restaurants would just make vegetarian dishes by doubling the portion of what is simply a side...Not at Elemento and, if they would have serving me the same, I would have been equally satisfied. Here is what we had:

The first course was their homemade sourdough with hazelnut butter, babahanouj and olive oil. I should mention that in the photo below, you can see a wooden box that contains the utensils to be used through the meals.

Bread and butter course at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

For me (regular 8-course tasting)::

2023 Bal de Madre rosé wine:

2023 Bal de Madre rose wine at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Red prawn tartelette with coconut and lemongrass:

Red prawn tartelette at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Blue fin tuna, parmesan and dill emulsion:

Smoked langoustine with bread stew and Xo sauce:

Smoked langoustines with bread stew at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Wild croaker fish with guasacaca:

Wild croaker fish at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Red snapper, sea urchin sauce and trout eggs:

Red snapper at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Black pork rump, tapenade and chanterelles:

Pork rump at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Orange ice cream, beets and plum vinegar:

Orange ice cream with beets at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Brownie ice cream sandwich:

Ice cream sandwich at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

For Jodi (vegetarian tasting):

Strawberry tonic mocktail:

Tartelette with coconut and lemongrass:

Coconut lemongrass tartelette at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Parmesan and dill emulsion:

Parmesan cheese and dill emulsion at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Endive, dill and pecorino cheese:

Endive, doll and pecorino cheese at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

King Oyster mushrooms, vegetables and romesco:

King oyster mushroom at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Grilled cabbage, smoked cream, fava beans:

Grilled cabbage at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Hokkaido pumpkin, tapenade and chanterelles:

Orange ice cream and plum vinegar:

Orange ice cream at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Sourdough ice cream:

Then, when we thought we were done, they brought us some canelets (southwestern French mini cake) and truffles, all homemade.

Canelets and truffles at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

The dish in the shape of a turtle was definitely appropriate as we were full and left the restaurant walking like turtles…From all the Michelin Stars restaurants we ate at, this is one of the most memorable: the food was exquisite, the service on point, with a cool atmosphere (we even heard the Chef singing a Cat Stevens song that was playing in the background) and it was surely an incredible experience. A must if you are visiting Porto and are looking for a fine dining experience. This was fire!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Elemento - Rua do Almada 51, 4050-036 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/25

Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Angelina Bakery, not to confuse with Angelina Paris (the place near Bryant Park with the amazing hot cocoa), is an homage by Tony Park, who is of Korean descent but was raised by an Italian family, to his grandmother Giuliana, who taught him cooking and baking, and his daughter Angelina who gave her name to the quickly expanding franchise. The location in Times Square opened a couple of months ago and is much better than the one they have on 8th avenue: brighter, more inviting and surely a perfect spot for business. There are really two things I love there: their bomboloni with Nutella and their croissant with Nutella. Yes, if you are a Nutella lover, this place is for you. The bomboloni does not have as much Nutella than the croissant that oozed of it as you start eating it. The croissants and by extension the chocolate croissants as this uses the same dough, are not the best I had, lacking the delicious buttery taste and slight crispiness on the outside, but Nutella eliminates that flaw. A good thing is that, if you want to try both croissant and bomboloni, you can order minis. I was also curious to try their donuts, but, although good, I would pass, getting better glazed donuts at Krispy Kreme or Dunkin.

Mini Nutella bomboloni at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Mini nutella croissant at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Glazed donut at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Chocolate croissant at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Nutella croissant at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

So, Angelina Bakery is great for breakfast, especially if you love Nutella, but they also have sandwiches and pizza that I never tried. I guess I will have to go back but will surely not resist topping my meal with a Nutella delicacy…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Angelina Bakery - Times Square Tower, W 41st St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 6/9/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/9/25

Lillie's Victorian: when Harry Potter meets afternoon tea

Dining at Lilli’s Victorian is like jumping into another dimension, but not just any, the one from Harry Potter. The entire decor reflects the magical world of the famous wizard: from the Hogwarts train station, to Dobby, to the giant Hagrid in the back who overlooks the dining room, as if he wanted to make sure all diners would behave. Lilli’s Victorian has an interesting menu, but what we wanted to try is their afternoon tea. For $50, you get assorted mini sweets (tier 1), scones with jam and pastries (tier 2) and sandwiches (tier 3). Two things happened when we ordered. First they told us that we need to choose two out of four sandwiches, a choice that is not indicated on their menu. That was fine, Jodi choosing the vegetarian ones, cucumber and honey mustard and egg salad with arugula, while I went for the prosciutto and fig jam, and the smoked salmon with cream cheese one. Then, we had to move tables because they realized that there was no way everything would fit on our tiny table. For tea, I chose the chamomile while Jodi went for the assam English. When the food came, we realized that, indeed, the first table would have been too small. There was a lot of food. The sandwiches were overall good, but the ratio of bread to filling was in favor of the former. Then, the menu said scones and we both only got a small scone with so much clotted cream. Yes, just one scone and then a bunch of sweets: crème brûlée, rugulach, lemon tart, macarons, danish…all of this leaving a sweet taste to my mouth. I admit that I wished they had more scones so the meal would be more a gradual succession from breakfast to lunch to dessert. It was good, but still, something was missing. We tried many afternoon teas in the city and this would not be on my top list. However, looking at the food people ordered, I would not mind going back…but not for the afternoon tea.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Lillie’s Victorian - 13 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 6/5/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/5/25

Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

When one of the descendants of writer Victor Hugo (« Les Misérables ») joins forces with the Serafina group, you get one of my favorite French restaurants in the city: Brasserie Cognac. It is in 2008 that Chef Florian Hugo started this adventure that continues years later with the same quality and superb French flare. Brunch or dinner are equally delicious, with dishes like the soufflé that are perfect any time of the day. Their cheese soufflé ($34) is definitely recommended: fluffy and cheesy, with a delicious golden crust. It is a rare dish to see on a menu, besides of course, the classic chocolate soufflé, and they execute it perfectly, reminding me a bit my childhood in France when my mom was making it for dinner, being less successful when it comes to the way the soufflé rises. For a smaller size appetizer, the gougères ($12 for 8), that are cheese puffs are quite addictive. A more common dish is the escargots ($21) that I always love, especially with bread that I dip eagerly into the delicious butter, garlic and parsley sauce. Or the mussels ($27): the mussels are prepared in a creamy white wine sauce where I dipped not bread, but the skinny fries that came with it (these are the kind I love: skinny, crispy on the outside and cooked all the way through). They have a few other vegetarian options besides the soufflé and gougères, like the goat cheese and tomato tart ($19) that is made with puff pastry, roasted tomatoes, thyme and goat cheese. A very provençal dish that was delicious.

Gougeres at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Cheese soufflé at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Mussels at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

For drinks, they have a full bar and good cocktails, but I only tried their Manhattan ($18) and a freshly squeezed orange juice for brunch.

Fresh squeezed orange juice at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Manhattan at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Dessert is not to be missed. Their île flottante ($14) or floating island is good, but although I would ditch the almonds, and their tart tatin ($16) superb, not too sweet, that is often the issue with this dessert.

Ile flottante at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Tarte tatin at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

So, after all these years, Cognac continues to serve a delicious French fare in a relaxed atmosphere. I definitely recommend it.

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!Brasserie Cognac - 517 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 6/2/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/2/25

What is so special at the 2nd Avenue Deli?

The 2nd Avenue Deli is one of these iconic Jewish delicatessen that do not age. The food is simply comforting, large portions being the main characteristic of such place. However, I love the fact that they offer a half sandwich and soup, even if for $28.95, it is a bit pricey. For soups, I prefer the matzo ball over the borscht, the latter not being the best I ever had (Veselka it is). The matzo ball is light, bathed in a delicious chicken broth with pasta and carrots. A must have. Sandwich wise, they have a large offering and I admit that their hot pastrami that they smoke might be my favorite: it is fatty, soft, literally melting in your mouth. I also love the soft salami sandwich, but the effort is less impressive. Vegetarians can opt for the egg salad sandwich that is delicious, not over mayonnaised if I can make up a word.

Matzoh ball soup at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

Egg sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

Soft salami sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

Pastrami sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

The 2nd Avenue Deli remains one of my favorite deli in the city and I highly recommend it. But, if you go, try the pastrami.

Enjoy (I did)!

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2nd Avenue Deli - 1442 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

I Just Want To Eat! 5/30/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/30/25

Hot Pot at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

We passed in front of Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City so many times, with sometimes people waiting outside for a table, that we decided to give it a try on a windy and somewhat cold Saturday. We showed up at 12pm and got a table right away. Good, considering that 30 minutes later, the place was full. Meaning “Little Dragon Ridge”, It is named after a location in the Shapingba district of Chongqing, known for its mountainous terrain that looks like a dragon. Originating from the…

Sauce bar at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

If you never had hot pot, know that it is a communal cooking experience, where you cook raw ingredients in a broth of your choice. More and more do you see individual pots as people may prefer different types of broth or have dietary restrictions and Shoo Loong Kan is no exception. The pot where the both sits is divided in one, two or three flavors. We went with two ($17.99), one vegetarian, that Jodi picked, that is mushroom based, while I got the pork rib broth. With it, you pick the meat or vegetables you want to mix up, knowing that this is not an all you can eat restaurant, so you pay for each. In fact, you also pay $5.98 for the sauce bar that I admit had nothing extraordinary, especially after trying Shani House AYCE in Fort Lee that had an incredible variety. Here is what we had: sweet potato noodles ($4.99), rice cake sticks ($4.99), shiitake mushrooms ($5.99), stir fried bean curd rolls ($4.99), spinach ($4.99) and Kobe beef ($15.99). The portions were pretty generous and we dumped in the broth all the ingredients at the exception of the meat that cooks quickly and that I always hold with the chopsticks while dipping in the hot broth so to not lose the meat in it. Then, it is like a game, retrieving what you want to eat in the broth, that is not always easy, or you can just use the ladle and pour some of the broth and veggies in a bowl, eating it like a soup. The sauce bar comes with few cookies that were pretty good, and we had a choice of a vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream included with the meal.

Brean curd rolls at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

rice cake sticks at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Shiitake mushrooms at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Sweet potato noodles at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Kobe beef at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Pork broth at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Mushroom broth at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Overall, Shoo Loong Kan was pretty good, not as good and pricier than the Shabu House AYCE I mentioned before, that is my favorite, but still, a good pot to indulge in a fun experience.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Shoo Loon Kan - 253 Washington Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 5/27/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/27/25

Lolita in NYC, NY

We recently discovered Lolita in Midtown Manhattan. This place, that serves Mexican food has quite an amazing decor, vibrant and bohemian chic that make it a hot spot for a happy hour. Well, talking about happy hour, it extends until 7pm on Fridays, which were the days we visited them, so we took advantage of it for their margarita ($12) and empanada de platano ($7 for two). They do have other cocktails, like The Jerk, that, just because of the name, I had to order. It had so many components: with vodka, banana, lime, strawberry, ginger, allspice, jerk bitters, scotch bonnet and is carbonated (hopefully, I did not forget anything). It is as they describe it like a clarified and refreshing highball with notes of Caribbean fruits and spices. And for sure, they are generous with the vodka! Anyway, being in a Mexican restaurant, we had to try their guacamole that was pretty good, mild, although I like mine with a bit of avocado chunks. Another appetizer I really enjoyed was their Ostiones Asados or roasted oysters, prepared with gremolata, garlic butter, ancho chile and cotija cheese. I love roasted oysters, that are a good option if you do not like shucking a live seafood in your mouth. These large oysters were delicious, and spicy! Definitely to try. Jodi had their huitlacoche quesadilla (Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, huitlacoche, roasted corn and salsa macha crema) that was earthy and I also got their Baja style fish tacos, made with battered cod, charred jalapeño aioli, avocado and a citrus slaw. This was a pretty good taco, the fish being crispy and flakey, the whole thing being packed in flavor. A must have. The only entree I got was their pollo enchiladas that was served with a delicious mole (I do not know if they make it, mole being a quite complex sauce).

Empanada de platano at Lolita in NYC, NY

Huilacoche quesadilla at Lolita in NYC, NY

Of course we had to have dessert. They have two: bunuelos that are beignets and a tres leches. I, for sure, preferred the former that were addictive: slightly crispy, pillowy on the inside, I did not need any sauce with it. The tres leches was good, but the center was not that soaked in that delicious milk combination.

Overall, we had a good dinners at Lolita: the food is great, in an amazing decor and nice atmosphere. The back room, away from the bar, is a great spot, as not as noisy, in case you want to give it a try.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Lolita - 45 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/25

Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

We discovered Court Street many years ago but never went back until recently, for restaurant week, where I thought that they did an excellent job serving dishes that make you want to go back, capturing the spirit of the event. And we did go back. Serving hungry diners for more than 40 years, its bar is always full of people having drinks or eating on the high top tables, but I prefer their dining room, located in the back, that is quieter. The food there is very good, with a long list of daily specials. I mean long. Issue is: everything sounds good and you are a bit overwhelmed by all these choices, knowing that you cannot order the entire menu. Right? So, for restaurant week, I tried their French onion soup ($10) that had lots of cheese in it, definitely opening my appetite. I then got their coq au vin ($26) that is chicken braised in a red wine sauce. with mushrooms and onions, another French classic. It was served with vegetables and potato au gratin. I am going to stop there because this is worth mentioning. When you order some of the entrees, they propose several sides with the vegetables of the day. So, coming from an area in France known for its potato au gratin called « gratin dauphinois », I could not resist trying this. It was fantastic, to the point that, when I went back and got their rack of lamb ($40), I asked them to skip the veggies and only serve me that side. There was a bit of a mix up with my order, so I ended up with both the veggies and, to my satisfaction, a double portion of potato au gratin. The lamb was good though! Prepared with rosemary and garlic, there was a lot of it and it was perfecty cooked medium. Jodi got their eggplant parmigiana that was just ok and their arugula and goat cheese salad. Before I move to desserts and cocktails, I should mention their baked brie ($13) that is served over baby greens with apples, pears and had a honey dijon dressing: it is a must have if you love cheese.

French onion soup at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Baked brie at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Rack of lamb at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Potato au gratin at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Coq au vin at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Arugula and goat cheese salad at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Eggplant parm at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

With our meals, I got cocktails: the first one was the Catcher in the Rye that is made with Bulleit Rye, Red Dubonnet, cointreau and bitters ($15) and their Negroni made with gin, Campari and Vermouth ($14).

Catcher in the rye cocktail at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Desserts are homemade and I loved their flourless chocolate truffle cake over their coconut custard pie, the chocolate cake being fudgey and decadent, while the coconut custard pie was a bit dry. I should mention that all desserts are homemade.

Flourless chocolate truffle cake at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Coconut custard pie at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, our meals at Court Street were pretty good. This is definitely a great place to know and, if you go, get that potato au gratin!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Court Street - 61 6th St. Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/25

The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

The biscuit Babe in Hoboken is a recent addition to the food scene in the mile square city, opening March 2025 and shy of two months in operation when I visited them. Replacing D’s Soul Food Cafe, the space is quite nice, bright and beautifully decorated, with inspiring quotes on the wall that you can read as your mind wanders. Biscuits is their specialty and, of course, I had to try their BBL Drizzly fried chicken with honey butter, even if it was only 8am…The sandwich looked amazing, the reddish, shiny fried chicken pieces dripping in honey butter, being squeezed between a nicely made biscuit. It was a bit messy to eat because the fried chicken pieces fell off as the biscuit broke from the pressure of my fingers, trying to keep everything together and, most importantly, trying to get a good bite if it. But it is definitely worth the mess and sticky fingers. We also had their biscuit with butter and jam, as well as their cinnamon biscuit that was quite good, even if the frosting was not fully done, having lumps of confectioner’s sugar here and there.

Biscuit and jam at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

Fried chicken sandwich at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

Cinnamon biscuit at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

The Biscuit Babe is a nice addition to the Hoboken food scene, with interesting offering on their menu, that I will definitely try in the future.

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Biscuit Babe - 918 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/25

Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Hani’s Bakery is one of these spots that get a crazy amount of attention on social media, whether it is Tik Tok or Instagram, with people raving about one of two things that are absolutely to try. So, on a day I was off, we decided to see for ourselves. As it was a weekday, there was no line and the place was not that busy, although we saw many people stopping by to get some goods there. We ordered at the counter after a lengthy discussion about what to get, as everything looked good. We then sat at a booth, waiting for our drinks (double espresso for me and London Fog tea for Jodi). The food looked good and, after splitting everything evenly (1/3 for Jodi and 2/3 for me - yes, this is what I I would call evenly as Jodi only eats few bites compared to me and she was the one holding the knife), we tried first the cinnamon bun ($8), that I thought was good but not the best I ever had. Same for the triple chocolate chunk cookie ($8), Funny Face Bakery bring so good, that it ruined all other cookies for me! However, I really loved their paneer tikka pinwheel ($6.5) that is on the savory side and a good option for lunch: made with a croissant dough, it was crispy on the outside, buttery and not spicy, packed in flavor. Now, we had to try their best seller: their strawberry tart with passion fruit cream ($8.5). Made with croissant dough, I was not sure if I would like it, simply because of the passion fruit that can sometimes overpower a pastry and be too tart. This was not at all the case and this was sublime: first of all, these strawberries were delicious. It’s been a while since I had good strawberries, the one I found even in farmers markets lacking flavor. These were delightfully sweet, pairing perfectly with the crème pâtissière and its just perfect dosage of passion fruit, and the flakey and buttery crust. A must have.
So, it was a nice introduction to Hani’s Bakery, where I should also mention the very friendly staff who made us feel welcome. Their menu is original, but if there is one thing I would absolutely get there, it is their strawberry tart.

Cinnamon bun at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Paneer tikka pinwheel at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Triple chocolate chunk cookie at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Strawberry tart at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Enjoy (I did)!

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Hani’s Bakery - 67 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/25

Product Review: Discover Japanese treats with the Sakuraco Box

One of the most memorable trips abroad was when we went to Japan few years ago, visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. I loved the food and the culture. An opportunity we got later on was getting a subscription to Tokyo Treat, where you receive a box on a monthly basis for a subscription, allowing you to discover, every time, new sweets or snacks. So, when ICHIGO.inc, the company of www.tokyotreat.com and Sakura.co contacted me to try their Sakuraco’s “Moonlit Sakura” box, I could not refuse. With a monthly subscription of $37.50 (with savings if subscribed for longer - for instance $33.50 for 6 months), you get, for very time, a different part of Japan featured. So, you never know what you are going to get, adding some excitement as your open the box. A small guide will describe the various snacks, sweets and teas you will be receiving that is very helpful as the packaging is in Japanese, describing each item in details and giving you some backstories of some of the local makers they promote. So, if you love Japan or are curious to try different food, check it out (this Youtube short will how you what was in the box - enjoy!)!

If you like this post the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

I Just Want To Eat! 5/8/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/8/25

Does Oxomoco deserve a Michelin star?

I had Oxomoco in Greenpoint on my radar for a while, so, when I heard that they got awarded a Michelin Star, I had to definitely go and see for myself. Let me start with that strange name that refers in Aztec mythology to a deity associated with night, astrology and the calendar, and is said to be the first woman, akin to Eve. Isn’t food a good way to discover other cultures?
Anyway, we decided to go to Oxomoco for brunch, that is served also weekdays. The trip to Brooklyn was not too bad, a few stops on the E train and then a few on the G line, and Oxomoco is only few steps from the Greenpoint Avenue stop. The place is fairly big with a covered patio in the front and a beautiful bright dining room in the back dominated by a stunning bar. We started off with drinks: Jarritos grapefruit for Jodi and Paraiso tropical for me, a mocktail made with non-alcoholic tequila, pineapple, coconut and lime. Quite refreshing.

Dining room at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Jarritos grapefruit juice at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Paraiso tropical mocktail at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Of course, we could not not try their guacamole ($21). When I asked if they could make it mild, I was surprised to hear that it was premade, with Serrano pepper seeds in it. You would think that in this sort of establishment they would make it fresh, but no. Regardless, it was very good, the smoked cherry tomatoes giving a bit of originality to a classic appetizer. Next was the polenta pan Frances ($25). Understand French toast. Topped with fig jam and cream, they drizzled a delicious burnt honey toffee on top. This was superb: the bread was perfectly soaked with caramelized sides. A must have. But my all time favorite was the lamb barbacoa tacos ($27). First of all, the dish looked beautiful, the squash blossom giving some elegance to the dish and contrasting well with the darker color of the homemade tortilla and lamb. And what a lamb: moist, with burnt ends that gave a slight crispiness to the meat, that, despite the spices and salsa pipicha, remained the star. I highly recommend it if you love lamb. Jodi got their Mushroom Tlayuda that is a vegetarian dish I would describe as a Mexican pizza or open face quesadilla. It was made with three sorts of mushrooms topped with mole chichilo and Oxomoco salsa. Good, crunchy, I just wish there were more mushrooms.

Guacamole at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

French toast at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Lamb barbacoa tacos at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Mushroom tlayuda at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Needless to say that we did not have dessert, the French toast being anyway the sweet course of our meal. This place has creative dishes, with a wide selection for vegetarians, an impeccable service in a relaxed atmosphere. So, yes, Oxomoco deserves a Michelin star!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Oxomoco - 128 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 5/5/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/5/25

Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

There is a new coffee shop in Hoboken, that seems to be the kind of businesses who wants to open in the mile square city considering how many have opened in the past few months or are scheduled to open. Question is: how many coffee shops do we need? I do not know and anyway decided to try anyway! So, Forum Coffee is new, replacing Cafe Amor, Hoboken being its third location. What makes Forum Coffee different is not their pastries that I found ok, having better chocolate croissant or pain aux raisins at Chocopain nearby, the coffee cake being probably what I would go for instead for something different. No, what makes them different is their specialty coffee where they propose French toast latte, cannoli latte, gingerbread latte, chocolate covered strawberry latte, or the creme brulee latte that I tried. Original, with a subtle taste of creme brûlée, I thought it was pretty good, the only negative being that they did not serve it in a cup so I could get a nicer presentation, similar to the photos on their website. But hey, the main thing is that it was good. So, would I go back to Forum Coffee? Sure, for their latte mainly.

Creme brulee latte and London fog tea at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Creme brulee latte at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Pain aux raisins at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Chocolate croissant at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Coffee cake at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Enjoy (I did)!

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Forum Coffee - 123 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/25

Is this the best lobster roll in New York?

It’s been a while since I visited one of the locations of Luke’s Lobster, that I once considered, with The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market, one of my favorite locations for a lobster roll. There are plenty of places proposing this divine dish, but I often end up with a roll that has too much celery, overpowering the entire thing, or the lobster is overcooked. So, after going to Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, I decided to pay the one in the garment district a visit. But, instead of having a lobster roll, I decided to go for their flight that consist of three half rolls, so you can sample the lemon butter, spicy honey butter and truffle butter variations. You get that flight for $40, with chips and any soda (beer is extra). The rolls came fairly quickly and the brioche bread was totally submerged by the generous portion of lobster. I liked the three preparations, none of them overpowering the perfectly cooked lobster. So, yes, $40 is a bit pricey, but at least there is a good amount of lobster and you leave with a happy stomach. Therefore, I’ll keep Luke’s Lobster on my list of favorite places for lobster rolls.

Lobster roll flight at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Lemon butter lobster roll at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Hot honey butter at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Truffle butter lobster roll at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Luke’s Lobster - 1407 Broadway, New York, NY 10018